Welcome - my name is Leesalyn. I practice and teach meditation and hatha yoga from the Ashtanga, Iyengar, and Sivananda traditions. I offer community classes that are informal, non-competitive, and paid by donations - encouraging all abilities to participate. Public and private classes are also available throughout central and south Austin and the surrounding hill country.
summer sojourn
For those who have been practicing long enough to know will tell you, when the weather heats up in Austin, this fair-weather-fairy retreats somewhere northernly and cooler. This years sojourn will be of the southern flavor while allowing others to bask in the northwestern wonderfulness ~ have a great time Nelson and Tammy!
I am looking forward to spending the summer in service and study. Unfortunately, during this time public classes will not be held. Private classes will continue on an infrequent schedule. Website updates will continue ~ be sure to check in, be here, now.
A teacher may open many beautiful doors, although it is the courage of the student to enter. It is an honor and a pleasure ~ i look forward to crossing paths again in the near future.
Solstice blessings
The Summer Solstice is both the longest day and shortest night of the year for the northern hemisphere where the sun appears to pause in its travel across the horizon. Some people experience increased energy levels, renewed motivation, and emotional balance as a result of the increased solar exposure. This may possibly explain the ritual of bonfire burning and leaping during this celebration!
Flowers and herbs are abundant during this time of year. While decorating your altar for the new season, consider using marigolds, st. john's wort, rue, vervain/verbena, chamomile, geranium, roses, thyme, fennel, and pennyroyal.
Litha or Midsummer's Eve is another solstice festival, which celebrates the quest for balance between fire and water elements or dark and light energies. Midsummer's Eve to the faerie folk is the most important holiday ~ second only to Halloween. Also celebrated during the solstice is the feast of St. John the Baptist. Celebrating the birth of John, the prophet, who was born six months before Jesus to announce his arrival ~ thus memorializing Christ in the winter solstice.
May your Midsummer's Eve, Feast of St. John, Litha, and Solstice be blessed with light, warmth, and of course, a cool breeze!
Spring and Dojo classes return
I believe that Spring is officially here and will be hosting our first Dojo yoga class this year ~ tomorrow! Yes, this is the most last minute announcement ever, but i couldn't pass up sharing another beautiful evening in Austin.
All abilities are welcome to join us Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 at the Dojo just behind the old West Lynn Cafe.
This synergetic Hatha yoga class combines dynamic and subtle aspects of the posture while adjusting to the individual personality of each student. The first hour consists of breath and body work to prepare for the next half hour of meditation followed by a question and answer period. All mats, blankets, blocks, and straps are provided, although for hygenic and spiritual reasons, students are encouraged to acquire their own as the practice deepens.
The Dojo has served as a movement space for dance, yoga, and martial arts classes for many years. A dense bamboo lined path leads to the open air cedar structure with vaulted ceilings and lush vegetation. The south facing deck fosters informal gatherings both before and after classes.
Donation class
Meditation classes at the Burly House will continue at 7pm on Thursday nights beginning April 9th.
new years 2009
Join us in celebrating the change of seasons (would you believe it is 82 degrees in Austin?!?!) and passing of new years (both chinese and gregorian) with additional classes, new times, and more teaching opportunities.
Thursday evenings at the Burly House have evolved into a meditation space with a new time of 7pm. While no one can be taught *how* to meditate, we can fine tune our perception of inner awareness and discover for ourselves. Learn philosophies and techniques from both the Buddhist and Vedantic perspectives with at least a 30 minute meditation to practice. Honoring the tradition of dana, this class is kindly supported by donations. Map
The yoga classes will resume in the spring with the coming of warmer weather in central Texas. Beginning in March, join us on Wednesday evenings at the Dojo. for an all levels yoga class beginning at 6:30pm. Map
The academic interests that i have been pursuing over the past years have manifested into a salaried teaching position at the Greenwood Waldorf School beginning in the Spring. Students are encouraged to plan and schedule thier future yoga and meditation instruction for Mondays, Wednesday and Thursdays. If there are any questions or conflicts, please contact me. Currently space is available if you would like to set up an individual or group class.
May the coming rotation around the sun be blessed with joyful energy and a renewed devotation towards peace.